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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Theoretically WIBU to refuse to send my child in?

24 replies

WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 09:06

DCs school has sent us 3 covid notifications in the 4 days they have been back.
They are asking children to lft daily.
Locally there is a shortage of tests. I cannot order any online.
So, if the shortage continues and we run out of tests, WIBU to refuse to send DC in?

School is an old building with poor ventilation and large class sizes.

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 07/01/2022 09:23

If you can look after them at home and they are happy at home it seems reasonable.

Porcupineintherough · 07/01/2022 09:25

How long are you planning to keep them at home for? Weeks? Months?

NoSquirrels · 07/01/2022 09:26

Why would you refuse to send them in if you cannot LFT them? What purpose will that serve to you? I’m trying to understand the logic.

hibbledibble · 07/01/2022 09:27

Do you want to keep them at home because of the lack of lateral flows, or because of risk of contracting covid?

How are you planning to homeschool, and how long will this go on for?

RedskyThisNight · 07/01/2022 09:28

Are school not providing you with tests? DC's school has sent them home with 7 tests each and clearly said these are for doing more regular LFTs as required (2 year groups have been identified as needing to do this).

TheYearOfSmallThings · 07/01/2022 09:29

I would ring the school and see what they suggest. DS's school keeps a stock of tests for anyone who's having trouble finding them.

mindutopia · 07/01/2022 09:33

Personally, I would send them in. We are not doing any LFTs here. School hasn't asked and I probably wouldn't do it anyway. I don't do them before going to work and neither does dh. We have had lots of cases in school and dd was absolutely fine. She only got COVID because dh got it at his work Christmas do. Hmm For me, I think kids have missed a lot of school and a lot of time with friends this year. I wouldn't want them to miss out on anymore.

Whinge · 07/01/2022 09:34

Is there a reason why school are asking for daily LFT?

I don't see the point in keeping them at home.

changingstages · 07/01/2022 09:39

our school are also asking for daily LFT as we have cases in the class. I don't mind this at all - in fact, I think it's a very good idea - but as DD had Covid last last year we're not supposed to test her for 90 days so we're not sure what to do - we think she had Delta but it was on the cusp of Omicron coming in so we're not sure. Have asked school for the specific PHE advice, if there is any (doubt it).

She was really unwell with Covid so am feeling quite prickly about everyone saying 'oh it's fine, let them all get it'

SlashBeef · 07/01/2022 09:50

Are you or your child CEV? I can understand keeping them home if so. Otherwise yabu.

AmyandPhilipfan · 07/01/2022 10:43

Personally I would feel fine sending mine in without having LFTs. They both tested positive last year with no symptoms and are now vaccinated with one dose (age 13 and 14). All of last year we did the 2 lfts a week for school but this year I haven’t consented to mine doing them. I gag every time I’ve done one myself and my eldest has been sick from them a couple of times so personally we’ve decided not to bother unless we’re told we have to. But as school gave the option for them not to have to do it anymore we took that option.

WorraLiberty · 07/01/2022 10:49

This is a question you need to be asking the school, surely?

Also, keep trying every half hour or so to order the tests. This is how I've been getting mine.

lljkk · 07/01/2022 10:56

The point of LFT is to stop someone from asymptomatically passing Covid on. Is this priority more important to you than your child's schooling?

Hemingwayscatz · 07/01/2022 11:12

Missing out on more education is exactly what kids need.

Staryflight445 · 07/01/2022 11:21

They’ll miss out on even more if parents don’t start taking responsibility @Hemingwayscatz

Original poster
WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 11:33

School do not provide tests.
I can home educate/ask for school work (it is provided for children who are off with covid)

If I can't test how do we know if DC is asymptomatic and therefore likely to infect anyone else?
Also, we have CEV family members who we provide care for. So if we can't test are we not putting them at risk?

My parents missed years of school and managed to negotiate their way though life.

OP posts:
Original poster
WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 11:34

@lljkk

The point of LFT is to stop someone from asymptomatically passing Covid on. Is this priority more important to you than your child's schooling?
Yes. We are not sitting at home twiddling our thumbs. I can home educate if necessary.
OP posts:
lljkk · 07/01/2022 12:09

If They don't go to school they definitely miss out on school education.

If They don't get tested, they may still never transmit covid to anyone.

But if you like home-schooling, it's a puzzle why you ever bothered sending them to school.

frazzledali · 07/01/2022 12:16

@AmyandPhilipfan

Personally I would feel fine sending mine in without having LFTs. They both tested positive last year with no symptoms and are now vaccinated with one dose (age 13 and 14). All of last year we did the 2 lfts a week for school but this year I haven’t consented to mine doing them. I gag every time I’ve done one myself and my eldest has been sick from them a couple of times so personally we’ve decided not to bother unless we’re told we have to. But as school gave the option for them not to have to do it anymore we took that option.
why are they being sick when you put it up their nose? I'd be seeking an answer to that, sounds like an odd medical response.
lanthanum · 07/01/2022 13:11

@AmyandPhilipfan

Personally I would feel fine sending mine in without having LFTs. They both tested positive last year with no symptoms and are now vaccinated with one dose (age 13 and 14). All of last year we did the 2 lfts a week for school but this year I haven’t consented to mine doing them. I gag every time I’ve done one myself and my eldest has been sick from them a couple of times so personally we’ve decided not to bother unless we’re told we have to. But as school gave the option for them not to have to do it anymore we took that option.
The newer tests are nose only, not mouth and nose, so you might find there's less of an issue now.
NoSquirrels · 07/01/2022 13:21

So you’re mostly concerned that they’ll catch it at school, be asymptomatic and pass it on to CEV family member? Which you want to avoid so they have to stay off school.

That’s not unreasonable if it’s your choice.

But I’d assume school would mark this as unauthorised- is that what you’re asking? Whether school would find it unreasonable?

5128gap · 07/01/2022 13:28

There seems to be two separate issues here.
The school wants tests but you can't comply because there aren't any, so really the ball is in the schools court as to whether they allow him to attend without testing. Ask them what you should do.
You don't want to send him anyway because you are worried he will bring covid back. This is nothing to do with the first issue, and you need to decide on this separately. Personally I would send him as I think its damaging for children to have their lives continually disrupted and this situation could go on a very long time.

Original poster
WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 14:01

512 pretty much. If I can't test as school speci have asked then potentially we are putting others at risk.

As it is, my point is now moot as I was able to order tests today.

This has been interesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
WeatherwaxOn · 07/01/2022 14:01

*specifically

OP posts:
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